Benchmark: Markdown Performance Comparison @ latest version

HTML Preparation code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/showdown/dist/showdown.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/marked/marked.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/commonmark/dist/commonmark.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/markdown-it/dist/markdown-it.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/remarkable/dist/remarkable.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/micromarkdown/dist/micromarkdown.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/snarkdown/dist/snarkdown.umd.js"></script>

Script Preparation code:

var conv = {
  showdown: new showdown.Converter(),
  marked: marked,
  cm: new commonmark.HtmlRenderer(),
  mdit: markdownit({ html: true }),
  remarkable: new remarkable.Remarkable(),
  micromarkdown: window.micromarkdown,
  snarkdown: window.snarkdown
};

var pars = {
  cm: new commonmark.Parser()
};

var md = [
		"---",
"__Advertisement :)__",
"",
"- __[pica](https://nodeca.github.io/pica/demo/)__ - high quality and fast image",
"  resize in browser.",
"- __[babelfish](https://github.com/nodeca/babelfish/)__ - developer friendly",
"  i18n with plurals support and easy syntax.",
"",
"You will like those projects!",
"",
"---",
"",
"# h1 Heading 8-)",
"## h2 Heading",
"### h3 Heading",
"#### h4 Heading",
"##### h5 Heading",
"###### h6 Heading",
"",
"",
"## Horizontal Rules",
"",
"___",
"",
"---",
"",
"***",
"",
"",
"## Typographic replacements",
"",
"Enable typographer option to see result.",
"",
"(c) (C) (r) (R) (tm) (TM) (p) (P) +-",
"",
"test.. test... test..... test?..... test!....",
"",
"!!!!!! ???? ,,  -- ---",
"",
"\"Smartypants, double quotes\" and 'single quotes'",
"",
"",
"## Emphasis",
"",
"**This is bold text**",
"",
"__This is bold text__",
"",
"*This is italic text*",
"",
"_This is italic text_",
"",
"~~Strikethrough~~",
"",
"",
"## Blockquotes",
"",
"",
"> Blockquotes can also be nested...",
">> ...by using additional greater-than signs right next to each other...",
"> > > ...or with spaces between arrows.",
"",
"",
"## Lists",
"",
"Unordered",
"",
"+ Create a list by starting a line with `+`, `-`, or `*`",
"+ Sub-lists are made by indenting 2 spaces:",
"  - Marker character change forces new list start:",
"    * Ac tristique libero volutpat at",
"    + Facilisis in pretium nisl aliquet",
"    - Nulla volutpat aliquam velit",
"+ Very easy!",
"",
"Ordered",
"",
"1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet",
"2. Consectetur adipiscing elit",
"3. Integer molestie lorem at massa",
"",
"",
"1. You can use sequential numbers...",
"1. ...or keep all the numbers as `1.`",
"",
"Start numbering with offset:",
"",
"57. foo",
"1. bar",
"",
"",
"## Code",
"",
"Inline `code`",
"",
"Indented code",
"",
"    // Some comments",
"    line 1 of code",
"    line 2 of code",
"    line 3 of code",
"",
"",
"Block code \"fences\"",
"",
"```",
"Sample text here...",
"```",
"",
"Syntax highlighting",
"",
"``` js",
"var foo = function (bar) {",
"  return bar++;",
"};",
"",
"console.log(foo(5));",
"```",
"",
"## Tables",
"",
"| Option | Description |",
"| ------ | ----------- |",
"| data   | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. |",
"| engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. |",
"| ext    | extension to be used for dest files. |",
"",
"Right aligned columns",
"",
"| Option | Description |",
"| ------:| -----------:|",
"| data   | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. |",
"| engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. |",
"| ext    | extension to be used for dest files. |",
"",
"",
"## Links",
"",
"[link text](http://dev.nodeca.com)",
"",
"[link with title](http://nodeca.github.io/pica/demo/ \"title text!\")",
"",
"Autoconverted link https://github.com/nodeca/pica (enable linkify to see)",
"",
"",
"## Images",
"",
"![Minion](https://octodex.github.com/images/minion.png)",
"![Stormtroopocat](https://octodex.github.com/images/stormtroopocat.jpg \"The Stormtroopocat\")",
"",
"Like links, Images also have a footnote style syntax",
"",
"![Alt text][id]",
"",
"With a reference later in the document defining the URL location:",
"",
"[id]: https://octodex.github.com/images/dojocat.jpg  \"The Dojocat\"",
"",
"",
"## Plugins",
"",
"The killer feature of `markdown-it` is very effective support of",
"[syntax plugins](https://www.npmjs.org/browse/keyword/markdown-it-plugin).",
"",
"",
"### [Emojies](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-emoji)",
"",
"> Classic markup: :wink: :crush: :cry: :tear: :laughing: :yum:",
">",
"> Shortcuts (emoticons): :-) :-( 8-) ;)",
"",
"see [how to change output](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-emoji#change-output) with twemoji.",
"",
"",
"### [Subscipt](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-sub) / [Superscirpt](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-sup)",
"",
"- 19^th^",
"- H~2~O",
"",
"",
"### [\<ins>](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-ins)",
"",
"++Inserted text++",
"",
"",
"### [\<mark>](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-mark)",
"",
"==Marked text==",
"",
"",
"### [Footnotes](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-footnote)",
"",
"Footnote 1 link[^first].",
"",
"Footnote 2 link[^second].",
"",
"Inline footnote^[Text of inline footnote] definition.",
"",
"Duplicated footnote reference[^second].",
"",
"[^first]: Footnote **can have markup**",
"",
"    and multiple paragraphs.",
"",
"[^second]: Footnote text.",
"",
"",
"### [Definition lists](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-deflist)",
"",
"Term 1",
"",
":   Definition 1",
"with lazy continuation.",
"",
"Term 2 with *inline markup*",
"",
":   Definition 2",
"",
"        { some code, part of Definition 2 }",
"",
"    Third paragraph of definition 2.",
"",
"_Compact style:_",
"",
"Term 1",
"  ~ Definition 1",
"",
"Term 2",
"  ~ Definition 2a",
"  ~ Definition 2b",
"",
"",
"### [Abbreviations](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-abbr)",
"",
"This is HTML abbreviation example.",
"",
"It converts \"HTML\", but keep intact partial entries like \"xxxHTMLyyy\" and so on.",
"",
"*[HTML]: Hyper Text Markup Language",
"---",
"__Advertisement :)__",
"",
"- __[pica](https://nodeca.github.io/pica/demo/)__ - high quality and fast image",
"  resize in browser.",
"- __[babelfish](https://github.com/nodeca/babelfish/)__ - developer friendly",
"  i18n with plurals support and easy syntax.",
"",
"You will like those projects!",
"",
"---",
"",
"# h1 Heading 8-)",
"## h2 Heading",
"### h3 Heading",
"#### h4 Heading",
"##### h5 Heading",
"###### h6 Heading",
"",
"",
"## Horizontal Rules",
"",
"___",
"",
"---",
"",
"***",
"",
"",
"## Typographic replacements",
"",
"Enable typographer option to see result.",
"",
"(c) (C) (r) (R) (tm) (TM) (p) (P) +-",
"",
"test.. test... test..... test?..... test!....",
"",
"!!!!!! ???? ,,  -- ---",
"",
"\"Smartypants, double quotes\" and 'single quotes'",
"",
"",
"## Emphasis",
"",
"**This is bold text**",
"",
"__This is bold text__",
"",
"*This is italic text*",
"",
"_This is italic text_",
"",
"~~Strikethrough~~",
"",
"",
"## Blockquotes",
"",
"",
"> Blockquotes can also be nested...",
">> ...by using additional greater-than signs right next to each other...",
"> > > ...or with spaces between arrows.",
"",
"",
"## Lists",
"",
"Unordered",
"",
"+ Create a list by starting a line with `+`, `-`, or `*`",
"+ Sub-lists are made by indenting 2 spaces:",
"  - Marker character change forces new list start:",
"    * Ac tristique libero volutpat at",
"    + Facilisis in pretium nisl aliquet",
"    - Nulla volutpat aliquam velit",
"+ Very easy!",
"",
"Ordered",
"",
"1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet",
"2. Consectetur adipiscing elit",
"3. Integer molestie lorem at massa",
"",
"",
"1. You can use sequential numbers...",
"1. ...or keep all the numbers as `1.`",
"",
"Start numbering with offset:",
"",
"57. foo",
"1. bar",
"",
"",
"## Code",
"",
"Inline `code`",
"",
"Indented code",
"",
"    // Some comments",
"    line 1 of code",
"    line 2 of code",
"    line 3 of code",
"",
"",
"Block code \"fences\"",
"",
"```",
"Sample text here...",
"```",
"",
"Syntax highlighting",
"",
"``` js",
"var foo = function (bar) {",
"  return bar++;",
"};",
"",
"console.log(foo(5));",
"```",
"",
"## Tables",
"",
"| Option | Description |",
"| ------ | ----------- |",
"| data   | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. |",
"| engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. |",
"| ext    | extension to be used for dest files. |",
"",
"Right aligned columns",
"",
"| Option | Description |",
"| ------:| -----------:|",
"| data   | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. |",
"| engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. |",
"| ext    | extension to be used for dest files. |",
"",
"",
"## Links",
"",
"[link text](http://dev.nodeca.com)",
"",
"[link with title](http://nodeca.github.io/pica/demo/ \"title text!\")",
"",
"Autoconverted link https://github.com/nodeca/pica (enable linkify to see)",
"",
"",
"## Images",
"",
"![Minion](https://octodex.github.com/images/minion.png)",
"![Stormtroopocat](https://octodex.github.com/images/stormtroopocat.jpg \"The Stormtroopocat\")",
"",
"Like links, Images also have a footnote style syntax",
"",
"![Alt text][id]",
"",
"With a reference later in the document defining the URL location:",
"",
"[id]: https://octodex.github.com/images/dojocat.jpg  \"The Dojocat\"",
"",
"",
"## Plugins",
"",
"The killer feature of `markdown-it` is very effective support of",
"[syntax plugins](https://www.npmjs.org/browse/keyword/markdown-it-plugin).",
"",
"",
"### [Emojies](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-emoji)",
"",
"> Classic markup: :wink: :crush: :cry: :tear: :laughing: :yum:",
">",
"> Shortcuts (emoticons): :-) :-( 8-) ;)",
"",
"see [how to change output](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-emoji#change-output) with twemoji.",
"",
"",
"### [Subscipt](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-sub) / [Superscirpt](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-sup)",
"",
"- 19^th^",
"- H~2~O",
"",
"",
"### [\<ins>](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-ins)",
"",
"++Inserted text++",
"",
"",
"### [\<mark>](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-mark)",
"",
"==Marked text==",
"",
"",
"### [Footnotes](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-footnote)",
"",
"Footnote 1 link[^first].",
"",
"Footnote 2 link[^second].",
"",
"Inline footnote^[Text of inline footnote] definition.",
"",
"Duplicated footnote reference[^second].",
"",
"[^first]: Footnote **can have markup**",
"",
"    and multiple paragraphs.",
"",
"[^second]: Footnote text.",
"",
"",
"### [Definition lists](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-deflist)",
"",
"Term 1",
"",
":   Definition 1",
"with lazy continuation.",
"",
"Term 2 with *inline markup*",
"",
":   Definition 2",
"",
"        { some code, part of Definition 2 }",
"",
"    Third paragraph of definition 2.",
"",
"_Compact style:_",
"",
"Term 1",
"  ~ Definition 1",
"",
"Term 2",
"  ~ Definition 2a",
"  ~ Definition 2b",
"",
"",
"### [Abbreviations](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-abbr)",
"",
"This is HTML abbreviation example.",
"",
"It converts \"HTML\", but keep intact partial entries like \"xxxHTMLyyy\" and so on.",
"",
"*[HTML]: Hyper Text Markup Language"].join("\n");

Tests:

Showdown.js
conv.showdown.makeHtml(md);
Marked
conv.marked.parse(md);
CommonMark
conv.cm.render(pars.cm.parse(md));
Markdown-it
conv.mdit.render(md);
Remarkable
conv.remarkable.render(md);
Micromarkdown
conv.micromarkdown.parse(md);
Snarkdown
conv.snarkdown(md);

Rendered benchmark preparation results:

Suite status: <idle, ready to run>

Previous results

Test case name	Result
Showdown.js
Marked
CommonMark
Markdown-it
Remarkable
Micromarkdown
Snarkdown

Fastest: N/A

Slowest: N/A

Latest run results:

Run details: (Test run date: one month ago)

User agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/135.0.0.0 Safari/537.36 Edg/135.0.0.0

Browser/OS: Chrome 135 on Windows

View result in a separate tab

Test name	Executions per second
Showdown.js	180.5 Ops/sec
Marked	603.3 Ops/sec
CommonMark	1251.0 Ops/sec
Markdown-it	979.6 Ops/sec
Remarkable	1495.0 Ops/sec
Micromarkdown	1065.8 Ops/sec
Snarkdown	1347.9 Ops/sec

Autogenerated LLM Summary (model gpt-4o-mini, generated one month ago):

LLMs can make mistakes. Check important info.

The JSON structure provided describes a performance benchmark for various JavaScript Markdown libraries. These libraries are compared based on how efficiently they convert Markdown syntax (a plain text formatting syntax) into HTML. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the benchmark:

### Libraries Compared

1. **Showdown.js**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.showdown.makeHtml(md);`
   - **Description:** A popular library for converting Markdown to HTML, designed to support many Markdown extensions.

2. **Marked**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.marked.parse(md);`
   - **Description:** Another high-performance Markdown parser, known for its speed and compatibility with various Markdown syntax.

3. **CommonMark**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.cm.render(pars.cm.parse(md));`
   - **Description:** An implementation of the CommonMark specification. It ensures consistent parsing of Markdown documents across different platforms.

4. **Markdown-it**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.mdit.render(md);`
   - **Description:** A robust Markdown parser that allows for extensive customization through plugins, enhancing its extensibility.

5. **Remarkable**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.remarkable.render(md);`
   - **Description:** A Markdown parser aimed at high performance while supporting a variety of features and extensions.

6. **Micromarkdown**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.micromarkdown.parse(md);`
   - **Description:** A lightweight Markdown library designed for efficiency, focusing on minimalism.

7. **Snarkdown**
   - **Test Method:** `conv.snarkdown(md);`
   - **Description:** A simple Markdown to HTML converter that prioritizes speed and simplicity.

### Performance Results

The benchmark results show how many executions per second each library achieved while processing the same Markdown content. Here's a summary of the results:

1. **Remarkable:** 1494.98 executions/second
2. **Snarkdown:** 1347.93 executions/second
3. **CommonMark:** 1250.99 executions/second
4. **Micromarkdown:** 1065.77 executions/second
5. **Markdown-it:** 979.63 executions/second
6. **Marked:** 603.29 executions/second
7. **Showdown.js:** 180.50 executions/second

### Pros and Cons of Each Library

- **Showdown.js**
  - **Pros:** Highly customizable with numerous extensions.
  - **Cons:** Not the fastest option in this benchmark.

- **Marked**
  - **Pros:** Fast and supports a wide range of Markdown features.
  - **Cons:** May lack in extensibility compared to others like Markdown-it.

- **CommonMark**
  - **Pros:** Guarantees consistent behavior as per the CommonMark specification.
  - **Cons:** Some users may find it less flexible due to its adherence to standards.

- **Markdown-it**
  - **Pros:** Highly extensible with a rich plugin ecosystem.
  - **Cons:** Complexity may be a downside for simpler use cases.

- **Remarkable**
  - **Pros:** Emphasizes performance while still offering decent features.
  - **Cons:** Fewer plugins available compared to Markdown-it.

- **Micromarkdown**
  - **Pros:** Lightweight and efficient for basic use cases.
  - **Cons:** Limited functionality compared to more robust libraries.

- **Snarkdown**
  - **Pros:** Extremely fast with a minimalistic design.
  - **Cons:** May lack advanced features offered by the more complex libraries.

### Other Considerations

- **Use Cases:** The right library choice often depends on specific project requirements. For instance, if speed is paramount in a large application, Remarkable or Snarkdown may be preferable. However, if advanced Markdown features or a plugin system is necessary, Markdown-it would be more suitable.
  
- **Community and Maintenance:** The development activity and community support can also be important factors in choosing a library. Libraries with active communities are often more reliable for long-term projects.

### Alternatives

Beyond the libraries benchmarked in this analysis, there are other Markdown parsers available that you may consider:

1. **Markdig**: A popular Markdown parser for .NET that is known for its extensibility.
2. **Dillinger**: While not strictly a library, it's an online Markdown editor built on modern web technologies that can serve as a tool for performance comparison in web applications.
3. **Other JavaScript Libraries**: Libraries like **Remark** and **markdown-js** may also be explored depending on specific needs.

In summary, the benchmark provides valuable insights into the relative performance of various Markdown libraries, allowing developers to make informed choices based on execution speed and features.

Related benchmarks:

Markdown Performance Comparison @ latest version (version: 1)

A performance comparison of leading Javascript Markdown implementations.

Comparing performance of: Showdown.js vs Marked vs CommonMark vs Markdown-it vs Remarkable vs Micromarkdown vs Snarkdown

Created: one month ago by: Guest

Jump to the latest result

Showdown.js

Marked

CommonMark

Markdown-it

Remarkable

Micromarkdown

Snarkdown

Suite status: <idle, ready to run>

Experimental features:

Fastest: N/A

Slowest: N/A

Autogenerated LLM Summary (model gpt-4o-mini, generated one month ago):